Ulster Rally considers move to single day event

The Ulster Rally has discussed the possibility of running a one-day event next year but stated that there has been no decision made regarding the format of the event. The news comes after the British Rally Championship released its 2019 calendar with the Ulster Rally down to run on a single day, 17 August.

“We had discussed the option of a one-day event with Iain Campbell of BRC to sound out his thoughts,” stated Ulster Rally Clerk of the Course, Philip Murray. “But we have not decided whether to stick with a two-day format or whether to consider one, longer day.

“In either case the focus is a more compact route with similar stage miles but much reduced road miles to hopefully appeal to a broader audience.”

The Ulster Rally returned to Antrim in 2018 after two challenging years based in Derry-Londonderry. However, long road mileage became an issue of concern after organisers struggled to find suitable roads in the heavily populated Antrim area.

Competitors will be glad to hear that organisers are seeking to improve the ratio of stage to road miles. Whether this leads to the rally becoming a single day event remains to be seen.

Adam Hall